Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholics/Orthodox: Help transliterating please!

[Harpazo]

I’d love to have this Psalm transliterated into Roman characters. I don’t know but a few words of Arabic, much less how to read it (I know it’s right to left). Anyways, this Psalm is recited at the beginning of a recording of the Maronite Divine Liturgy. I was telling Abouna about it, and suggested that he do it. He can read Arabic and speak it fluently, but I’d like to be able to chant it too, and maybe along with him if he ever decides to do it.

Here it is, Psalm 103:

ﺍﻟﻤﺰﺍﻣﻴﺮ 103
1 بَارِكِي يَانَفْسِي الرَّبَّ، وَلْيَحْمَدْ كُلُّ مَا فِي دَاخِلِي اسْمَهُ الْقُدُّوسَ.

2 بَارِكِي يَانَفْسِي الرَّبَّ، وَلاَ تَنْسَيْ جَمِيعَ خَيْرَاتِهِ.

3 إِنَّهُ يَغْفِرُ جَمِيعَ آثَامِكِ وَيُبْرِيءُ كُلَّ أَمْرَاضِكِ.

4 وَيَفْدِي مِنَ الْمَوْتِ حَيَاتَكِ وَيُتَوِّجُكِ بِالرَّحْمَةِ وَالرَّأْفَةِ.

5 وَيُشْبِعُ بِالْخَيْرِ عُمْرَكِ فَيَتَجَدَّدُ كَالنَّسْرِ شَبَابُكِ.

6 الرَّبُّ يَحْكُمُ بِالعَدْلِ وَيُنْصِفُ جَمِيعَ الْمَظْلُومِينَ.

7 أَطْلَعَ مُوسَى عَلَى طُرُقِهِ وَبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَى أَفْعَالِهِ.

8 الرَّبُّ رَحِيمٌ وَرَؤُوفٌ، بَطِيءُ الْغَضَبِ وَوَافِرُ الرَّحْمَةِ.

9 لاَ يَسْخَطُ إِلَى الأَبَدِ وَلاَ يَحْقِدُ إِلَى الدَّهْرِ.

10 لَمْ يُعَامِلْنَا حَسَبَ خَطَايَانَا وَلَمْ يُجَازِنَا حَسَبَ آثَامِنَا.

11 مِثْلَ ارْتِفَاعِ السَّمَاوَاتِ فَوْقَ الأَرْضِ، تَعَاظَمَتْ رَحْمَتُهُ عَلَى مُتَّقِيهِ.

12 وَكَبُعْدِ الْمَشْرِقِ عَنِ الْمَغْرِبِ أَبْعَدَ عَنَّا مَعَاصِيَنَا.

13 مِثْلَمَا يَعْطِفُ الأَبُ عَلَى بَنِيهِ يَعْطِفُ الرَّبُّ عَلَى أَتْقِيَائِهِ.

14 لأَنَّهُ يَعْرِفُ ضَعْفَنَا وَيَذْكُرُ أَنَّنَا جُبِلْنَا مِنْ تُرَابٍ.

15 أَيَّامُ الإِنْسَانِ مِثْلُ الْعُشْبِ وَزَهْرِ الْحَقْلِ،

16 تَهُبُّ عَلَيْهِ الرِّيحُ فَيَفْنَى، وَلاَ يَعُودُ مَوْضِعُهُ يَتَذَكَّرُهُ فِيمَا بَعْدُ.

17 أَمَّا رَحْمَةُ الرَّبِّ فَهِيَ مِنَ الأَزَلِ وَإِلَى الأَبَدِ عَلَى مُتَّقِيهِ، وَعَدْلُهُ يَمْتَدُّ إِلَى بَنِي الْبَنِينَ،

18 لِلَّذِينَ يُرَاعُونَ عَهْدَهُ وَالَّذِينَ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ وَصَايَاهُ وَيُمَارِسُونَهَا.

19 الرَّبُّ ثَبَّتَ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ عَرْشَهُ، وَمَمْلَكَتُهُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الْبَشَرِ تَسُودُ.

20 بَارِكُوا الرَّبَّ يَامَلاَئِكَتَهُ الْمُقْتَدِرِينَ قُوَّةً، الْفَاعِلِينَ أَمْرَهُ فَوْرَ صُدُورِ كَلِمَتِهِ.

21 بَارِكُوا الرَّبَّ يَاجَمِيعَ جُنُودِهِ، يَاخُدَّامَهُ الْعَامِلِينَ رِضَاهُ.

22 بَارِكُوا الرَّبَّ يَاكُلَّ خَلِيقَتِهِ، فِي كُلِّ مَوَاضِعِ سُلْطَانِهِ. بَارِكِي يَانَفْسِي الرَّبَّ

Shukran!

Alaha minokhoun
Andrew

 

[PazFeAmor]

I’d love to have this Psalm transliterated into Roman characters. I don’t know but a few words of Arabic, much less how to read it (I know it’s right to left). Anyways, this Psalm is recited at the beginning of a recording of the Maronite Divine Liturgy. I was telling Abouna about it, and suggested that he do it. He can read Arabic and speak it fluently, but I’d like to be able to chant it too, and maybe along with him if he ever decides to do it.

Here it is, Psalm 103:

​

Shukran!

Alaha minokhoun
Andrew

I tried to find in Roman characters the psalms in Arabic but all I could find were audio files of the all the Psalms. I guess this would give you good practice at proper pronunciation of the Psalms as you pray them. The site uses the King James Version and I am guessing is a Protestant site ?? but better than nothing I guess.

audiotreasure.com/mp3/Arabic/Psalms/

or you could download all of the Psalm sound files in one zip file audiotreasure.com/mp3/Arabic/Psalms/00_Arabic_Psalms_Zaboor_1-150.zip

I pray that you are able to find the Psalms in Roman characters in Arabic.

Peace.

 

[Isa_Almisry]

Unfortunately, I’m pressed for time, but I’ll start and come back, in shaa’ al-rabb.

al-mazmuuru-l-mi’iatu-th-thaalith.

1. baarikii yaa nafsi-r-rabb, wal-yaHmadu kullu maa fii daakhili-smahu-lqudduus.
   2.baarikii yaa nafsi-r-rabb, wa-laa tansay jamii9a khayraatih.

 

[ronyodish]

Harpazo,

Here is my attempt at it. You may want to check it with a priest/deacon or choir leader for accuracy.

Isa Almisry,

I want to save you some time, so I made an attempt at it. If you can double check this one, that would be great. Transliterations will always be different between transliterators, and I see your first two verses are slightly different than mine, but has all the words transliterated correctly.

---

103 Al-Mazameer

1. Barikee ya-nafsee al-Rabba, wal-yahmad kullu ma fee dakhilee ismahu al-qudoosa.
2. Barikee ya-nafsee al-Rabba, wala tansay jamee’a khairatihi.
3. Inahu yaghfiru jamee’a athamiki wa-yubree’u kulla amradthiki.
4. Wa-yafdee minna al-mawti hayatki wa-yutawajuki balrahmati wa-alra’fati.
5. Wayushb’u balkhayri ‘umraki fayatajadadu kalnasri shababuki.
6. Al-Rabbu yahkumu bal’adl wayunsifu jamee’a al-madthloomeena.
7. Idtl’a musa ‘ala dturuqihi wabanee Isra’eela ‘ala af’alihi.
8. Al-Rabbu raheemu wara’oofu, badtee’u al-ghadthabi wawafiru al-rahmati.
9. La yaskhadtu illa al-abadi wala yahqidu illa al-dahri.
10. Lam yu’amilna hasaba khadtayana walam yujazina hasaba athamina.
11. Mithla irtifa’i alsamawati foqa alardthi t’adthamat rahmatuhu ‘ala mutaqeehi.
12. Wakabu’di almashriqi ‘an al-maghribi ab’da ‘ana ma’aseeana.
13. Mithlama ya’dtifu al-abbu ‘ala baneehi ya’dtifu al-Rabbu 'ala atqiya’hi.
14. La’nahu ya’rifu dtha’funa wayathkuru inana jubilna min turabi.
15. Ayamu al-insan mithlu al’ushbi wazahri al-haqli,
16. T-hubu ‘aleehi alrayhu fayafna, wala ya’oodu mawdthi’uhu yatadthakaruhu feema ba’du.
17. Ama rahmahu al-Rabba fahiya minna alazali wa-illa al-abadi ‘ala mutaqeehi, wa’adluhu y’amtadu illa banee albaneena,
18. Illatheena yura’oona ‘ahdahu wa-allatheena yatathakaroona wasayahu wayumarisoonaha.
19. Al-Rabbu thabata fee alsamawati ‘arshahu, wamamlakatuhu ‘ala jamee’ee albashari tasoodu.
20. Barikoo al-Rabba yamala’ikatahu almuqtadireena qooata, alfa’ileena amrahu fawra sudoori kalimatihi.
21. Barikoo al-Rabba yajamee’a junoodihi, yakhudamahu al‘amileena ridthahu.
22. Wadthi’i barikoo al-Rabba yakulla khaleeqatihi, fee kulla mawadthee’i barikee ya-nafsee al-Rabba suldtanihi.

---

God bless,

Rony

 

[Isa_Almisry]

Harpazo,

Here is my attempt at it. You may want to check it with a priest/deacon or choir leader for accuracy.

Isa Almisry,

I want to save you some time, so I made an attempt at it. If you can double check this one, that would be great. Transliterations will always be different between transliterators, and I see your first two verses are slightly different than mine, but has all the words transliterated correctly.

---

103 Al-Mazameer

1. Barikee ya-nafsee al-Rabba, wal-yahmad kullu ma fee dakhilee ismahu al-qudoosa.
2. Barikee ya-nafsee al-Rabba, wala tansay jamee’a khairatihi.
3. Inahu yaghfiru jamee’a athamiki wa-yubree’u kulla amradthiki.
4. Wa-yafdee minna al-mawti hayatki wa-yutawajuki balrahmati wa-alra’fati.
5. Wayushb’u balkhayri ‘umraki fayatajadadu kalnasri shababuki.
6. Al-Rabbu yahkumu bal’adl wayunsifu jamee’a al-madthloomeena.
7. Idtl’a musa ‘ala dturuqihi wabanee Isra’eela ‘ala af’alihi.
8. Al-Rabbu raheemu wara’oofu, badtee’u al-ghadthabi wawafiru al-rahmati.
9. La yaskhadtu illa al-abadi wala yahqidu illa al-dahri.
10. Lam yu’amilna hasaba khadtayana walam yujazina hasaba athamina.
11. Mithla irtifa’i alsamawati foqa alardthi t’adthamat rahmatuhu ‘ala mutaqeehi.
12. Wakabu’di almashriqi ‘an al-maghribi ab’da ‘ana ma’aseeana.
13. Mithlama ya’dtifu al-abbu ‘ala baneehi ya’dtifu al-Rabbu 'ala atqiya’hi.
14. La’nahu ya’rifu dtha’funa wayathkuru inana jubilna min turabi.
15. Ayamu al-insan mithlu al’ushbi wazahri al-haqli,
16. T-hubu ‘aleehi alrayhu fayafna, wala ya’oodu mawdthi’uhu yatadthakaruhu feema ba’du.
17. Ama rahmahu al-Rabba fahiya minna alazali wa-illa al-abadi ‘ala mutaqeehi, wa’adluhu y’amtadu illa banee albaneena,
18. Illatheena yura’oona ‘ahdahu wa-allatheena yatathakaroona wasayahu wayumarisoonaha.
19. Al-Rabbu thabata fee alsamawati ‘arshahu, wamamlakatuhu ‘ala jamee’ee albashari tasoodu.
20. Barikoo al-Rabba yamala’ikatahu almuqtadireena qooata, alfa’ileena amrahu fawra sudoori kalimatihi.
21. Barikoo al-Rabba yajamee’a junoodihi, yakhudamahu al‘amileena ridthahu.
22. Wadthi’i barikoo al-Rabba yakulla khaleeqatihi, fee kulla mawadthee’i barikee ya-nafsee al-Rabba suldtanihi.

---

God bless,

Rony

Shukran,

Yes, transliterations differ, which is why I refuse to let my students use them. For instance, you tranliterate al-Rabb, as I usually do. However, I don’t know how much the OP knows about Arabic, for instance, that al>ar before r, that the last syllable of nafiii/nafsee causes the vowel a to drop out and link, etc. I also shy away from more English transliteration (ee for ii, for example), towards IPA symbols etc. So without knowing what exactly the OP wants or needs, I’ll let it stand.

A quick look through seems to show your transliteration is fine, except you omitted the baarikii yaa nafsi-r-rabb repetition at the end of v. 22.

And you transliterate the Daad as “dth.” Your Iraqi is showing.

Btw, Blessed Easter to those celebrating this Sunday.

 

[ronyodish]

Isa,

Thanks for the feedback

A quick look through seems to show your transliteration is fine, except you omitted the baarikii yaa nafsi-r-rabb repetition at the end of v. 22.

Sorry, I messed up on verse 22. I’ll go back and edit it shortly.

And you transliterate the Daad as “dth.” Your Iraqi is showing.

Haha

God bless,

Rony

 

[ronyodish]

Harpazo,

Replace verse 22 in my original post with this one:

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1. Barikoo al-Rabba yakulla khaleeqatihi, fee kulla mawadthi’i suldtanihi. Barikee ya-nafsee al-Rabba.

---

God bless,

Rony

 

[Harpazo]

Thanks Rony and Isa!

I appreciate it very much. I don’t know very much Arabic at all, but I plan to start learning it very soon. My priest, who is the whitest guy I’ve ever met, is fluent in Arabic, Syriac (east and west dialects), Italian and German. So if he can speak Arabic as well as a native speaker, I can learn to be half as good. And of course there are many Lebanese at my parish who are native speakers, so hopefully I’ll be able to get some good practice in.

Thanks again the both of you for your hard work on this.

al-Masih Qom!

Andrew

 

[ronyodish]

You’re welcome Andrew

Haqan Qam!

Rony

 

[ronyodish]

I appreciate it very much. I don’t know very much Arabic at all, but I plan to start learning it very soon. My priest, who is the whitest guy I’ve ever met, is fluent in Arabic, Syriac (east and west dialects), Italian and German. So if he can speak Arabic as well as a native speaker, I can learn to be half as good. And of course there are many Lebanese at my parish who are native speakers, so hopefully I’ll be able to get some good practice in.

You reminded me of a funny real life incident that happened a few years ago. Fr. Mitch Pacwa once attended our St. Peter Chaldean parish in San Diego county, and when he entered the area of the subdeacons, he began to address them in Arabic. They looked at him for a few seconds bewildered, and then responded back in Arabic. I was there, and the subdeacons were probably thinking “Why is this American priest speaking to us in Arabic?” It came as a total surprise to them.

Since Arabic is a semitic language, and semitic languages in general are not as easy to learn for a British/American as say Spanish or some other romance language, then it is very surprising for Arabic-speaking people to see a white British/American speak Arabic, and do it fluently!

So, I’m happy to hear that you have an American priest in your parish who speaks Arabic and Syriac, that’s awesome! And I do encourage you to learn these semitic languages.

God bless,

Rony

 

[Harpazo]

You reminded me of a funny real life incident that happened a few years ago. Fr. Mitch Pacwa once attended our St. Peter Chaldean parish in San Diego county, and when he entered the area of the subdeacons, he began to address them in Arabic. They looked at him for a few seconds bewildered, and then responded back in Arabic. I was there, and the subdeacons were probably thinking “Why is this American priest speaking to us in Arabic?” It came as a total surprise to them.

Since Arabic is a semitic language, and semitic languages in general are not as easy to learn for a British/American as say Spanish or some other romance language, then it is very surprising for Arabic-speaking people to see a white British/American speak Arabic, and do it fluently!

So, I’m happy to hear that you have an American priest in your parish who speaks Arabic and Syriac, that’s awesome! And I do encourage you to learn these semitic languages.

God bless,

Rony

Thanks!

I’ve been attending a Maronite parish for about 6-7 months now and I probably won’t apply for a canonical transfer for at least another 12-18 months, at my pastors suggestion. I fully agree with him.

He told me that he’s heard stories at how some Maronite parishes aren’t very open to white Americans, and that it’s always a good idea to make an effort to learn their language and culture and to try and take that step letting them know you care and want to be friends.

My parish is fairly ethnic, and last night when Abouna had the veneration of the Icon, he said to the Arabic-speaking people that came forth “Al-Masih Qam!” They replied back to him with “Hakkan Qam!” We even had a Greek family there and he said “Hristos Anesti!” I thought it was cool to hear that while I was helping to pass out the blessed flowers.

Just thought I’d share that.

Shukran
Andrew

 

[ronyodish]

Thanks for sharing!

God bless,

Rony